Sebert fails to make hometown cut

Wednesday

Grove City native Zachary Sebert played in front of family and friends in the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational held July 22 through last Sunday at Ohio State's Scarlet Course.

Grove City native Zachary Sebert played in front of family and friends in the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational held July 22 through last Sunday at Ohio State's Scarlet Course.

The event is part of the Nationwide Tour.

"It was a thrill, an honor to be able to play in this tournament," Sebert said.

Sebert, who excelled on the course as a member of the Ohio State men's team, was 2-over-par (144) after the first two days and missed the qualifying cut by one stroke.

"On this course, it's all about knowing where you can and can't hit it," he said. "It's a huge advantage if you know that. It's a great course."

Sebert earned a spot in the tournament after accepting an unrestricted sponsor exemption. Since turning professional in September 2009, he has recorded six top-10 finishes playing in the National Golf Association Hooters Summer Series and Winter Series, including a victory in the Summer Series event at the Walnut Creek Country Club in Goldsboro, NC, held April 7-9.

"I don't feel like I've hit my stride yet this season," Sebert said. "It's coming along. I've come a long way. I still have a lot more to do, but it's coming."

Sebert graduated from Grove City High School in 2004 and Ohio State in 2009.

•Former Watterson golf standout Kyle Reifers hopes to return someday to the sport's top level on the PGA Tour.

Reifers, who played in 27 PGA events in 2007, returned to central Ohio to compete in the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational.

Reifers, formerly of Dublin, played well at times, but finished the four-day event with a disappointing 6-over 77 last Sunday to finish 5-over (289) for the tournament and place 62nd.

"It was a tough day," Reifers said of last Sunday. "I just didn't get any mojo going. I kind of struggled. I ran out of gas. I was pretty tired. I just didn't play well."

New Mexico native D.J. Brigman rallied to win the event, firing a 7-under 64 last Sunday to finish 10-under (274) for a one-stroke victory. Brigman collected $144,000, vaulting him from 47th to sixth on the money list.

Reifers, 26, now resides in Atlanta, but was happy to be able to return to his native state to play in front of family and friends.

"This is great," he said. "I don't get to see the family and friends that much with this profession, so it's great to come home and kind of get the support."

Reifers opened with an even-par 71 on July 22 before carding a 2-under 69 last Friday. He shot a 1-over 72 last Saturday.

"Overall, it was good," Reifers said.

"I've kind of struggled coming into the week. I played well on Friday to make the cut and played pretty good all week, but I kind of struggled (last Sunday)."

Reifers' best finish on the tour this season came in the Chitimacha Louisiana Open held March 22-28 in Broussard, La., He finished in a three-way tie for second (275) behind winner Fabian Gomez (269) and earned $41,066.

For the season, Reifers has earned $53,148.

"There's a lot of ups and downs," he said. "We get beat up most of the time. It's a tough profession, but if I didn't enjoy it I wouldn't do it. I still enjoy it. I love to compete. It's kind of nice to see what you have inside at the end of the day. I still love to do it."

His ultimate goal is to return to the PGA Tour. The top 25 money winners from the Nationwide Tour for the season earn a PGA Tour card. Reifers is 61st and looks to move up the money list when he competes in the Cox Classic Presented by Lexus of Omaha this weekend in Omaha, Neb. There are 13 events remaining on the Nationwide Tour this season.

"The top 25 on this money list get a tour card," Reifers said. "That is why we're out here trying to grind it out and finish top 25 on the money list and get my tour card back. I'm just one good week away."

Reifers graduated from Watterson in 2002 and Wake Forest in 2006.

Brian Kelly, the Ohio State Golf Club's head professional, earned the other unrestricted exemption for the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational. The Columbus native finished with a two-day total of 173 and missed the cut.

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